Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Military Procurement Standards

Monday 30 January 2023 · 9 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 9 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial responses indicate ongoing efforts to improve military procurement standards through industrial strategy collaboration and regulatory reform.
  • The UK aims to maintain above 2% of GDP on defence spending to meet NATO obligations.
  • The Minister committed to reviewing and potentially publishing a report on defence procurement issues, subject to security concerns.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Davis Con Goole and Pocklington
Defence
Context

The MP noted ongoing criticisms of MOD's procurement processes, including cost overruns and slow delivery. He referenced the National Audit Office's annual critiques over 21 years.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to improve military procurement standards given ongoing criticisms over cost overruns, slow delivery, and an inability to control costs?

Answer from Ben Wallace

Defence procurement is some of the most complex in government. Our defence and security industrial strategy will see industry, Government and academia working closer together, while fundamentally reforming regulations to improve acquisition speed and incentivise innovation and productivity. Acquisition reforms aim to drive pace and agility into procurement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address specific steps to rectify issues mentioned by NAO reports

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Q2 David Davis Con Goole and Pocklington
Defence
Context

The MP acknowledged the need for increased defence spending but highlighted consistent criticisms of MOD's procurement efficiency and effectiveness over the past two decades.

Question

Does he agree that we need to address issues such as budget adherence, identification of military needs, quality of equipment, delivery times, cost control, and corporate culture if we are to remain a tier 1 power?

Answer from Ben Wallace

I absolutely agree. We aim to live within our means by coming in on budget or under budget for the second year in a row. It is challenging dealing with long-term projects while adhering to annual Treasury budgets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not fully address all specific issues raised, focusing more on context and challenges

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Q3 Catherine McKinnell Lab Newcastle upon Tyne North
Defence
Context

The MP expressed concerns about the impact of delays in defence programmes on UK's ability to meet NATO commitments.

Question

What specifically is he doing to ensure that the UK will meet our UK NATO obligations, especially regarding military readiness?

Answer from Ben Wallace

We are still on track to maintain above 2% of GDP on defence spending. We need to improve delivery times for major complex programmes, collaborate more, and avoid over-specification.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions directly addressing NATO obligations

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Q4 Mark Pritchard Con The Wrekin
Ukraine Defence
Context

The MP acknowledged UK's high standards in defence procurement and questioned the importance of similar levels of transparency with international partners, especially Ukraine.

Question

When cooperating with our international friends, allies and partners—particularly Ukraine—does he agree that it is vital they have similar levels of transparency in their defence procurement?

Answer from Ben Wallace

It is important for the public to get a sense of where donations are going and how they are being used. We ensure that supply chains are supported to surge at times of need rather than take months or years to reopen them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly answer the question about transparency with Ukraine

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Q5 John Spellar Lab
Defence
Context

The MP highlighted a strategic error made by previous Governments regarding the delay in ordering new nuclear submarines, which affected capacity and readiness.

Question

Does he accept that the failure to place orders for new nuclear submarines between 2010 and 2016 was a major strategic error?

Answer from Ben Wallace

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. I will do a deal with him if he admits that is not the only example: we have all made strategic errors in our defence policies in the last two decades, because the Treasury has worked in the short term.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly answer whether it was a major strategic error or not

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Q6 Mark Francois Con Rayleigh and Wickford
Defence
Context

The MP noted the Secretary of State's commissioning of an independent review by Clive Sheldon KC into the Ajax programme.

Question

Has he yet received the report? When does he intend to publish it? Can he promise the House that he will do so in full and unredacted?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The Minister for Defence Procurement informs me the report is coming imminently. I will read it and make sure findings are shared with the House, subject to security concerns. Ajax is now starting the next phase of trials after passing user viability trials up to Christmas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit fully to publishing in full and unredacted

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Q7 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Defence Housing Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The MOD procured services for defence housing and accommodation, with poor performance reported since December 2022. The issue of poor repair and service continues to affect personnel.

Question

Since my urgent question in December 2022, there have been more cases of poor repair and service regarding defence housing. Can the Secretary of State say whether the procurement process is fit for purpose and whether he has confidence in the current providers?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The MOD monitors individual cases weekly. There are successes in some areas, but work is still needed on mould and dampness. The Minister for Defence Procurement meets providers regularly to review contracts and take steps if a better standard is not achieved.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific confidence in current providers was not directly addressed

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Q8 Luke Pollard Labour (Co-op) Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Defence
Context

The MOD spent £144 million on private contractors for maintaining service families' accommodation, yet many homes are still awaiting repairs despite previous Minister's admission of poor value for taxpayer money.

Question

Why did the MOD sign contracts that do not represent value for taxpayer money? When will all troops have a home fit for heroes?

Answer from Ben Wallace

We aim to ensure our armed forces personnel have fit homes. Issues existed even when service was in-house. The MOD monitors cases, holds providers accountable, seeks compensation for those suffering, and works on improving the situation with better helpline manning and quicker responses.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline or concrete actions to ensure homes are fit for heroes were provided

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Q9 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Defence Standards & Ethics
Context

Multiple major MOD projects are late or over budget, leading to taxpayers' concern about bonuses given to executives of failing agencies like the Submarine Delivery Agency.

Question

How can the Secretary of State justify giving six-figure bonuses to executives of failing MOD agencies? What steps will be taken to rectify these remuneration packages?

Answer from Ben Wallace

Payments represent new appointments aiming to improve the Submarine Delivery Agency's performance. The agency faces challenges with maintenance, dry docks, and availability issues but is being turned around by a capable workforce.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No justification for bonuses or specific steps to rectify remuneration packages were provided

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